Biosorption of copper from aqueous environment by three aquatics-based sorbents: A comparison of the relative effect of seven important parameters

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the removal potential of copper from aqueous solutions using three aquatic origin biosorbents (scales of two fish species and shells of a mollusk), for the first time. A Box–Behnken design was used to investigate the effects of the seven important variables on the sorption capacities. The effects of initial concentration, pH and dosage, on all the response variables were significant. pH and initial concentration were the most influential factors. The order of maximum adsorption capacities of the biosorbents was: shells of Cerastoderma glaucum < scales of Rutilus kutum and < scales of Oncorhynchus mykiss. The characterization analyses showed the presence of Cu ions on the surfaces of all the biosorbents after the experiments. The equilibrium data of the Cu adsorption by R. kutum scales, O. mykiss scales and C. glaucum shells were best described by Langmuir, Temkin and Freundlich isotherm models, respectively.